Do you know about Toyokalon? It’s the premium choice for stylists that know about hair care. To display the versatility of the hair, the brand tapped Roc Nation singer/songwriter Justine Skye for a campaign called “Know the Difference.”
Styled by CeeCee @SilkHairNY, with makeup by Darya Latham and threads plucked by Xina Giatis, Justine flaunts a variety of styles all in her signature purple hue.
These on trend locs were achieved using Sensationnel’s African Collection X-Pression soft faux locs in 18″ color PUR, made with 100% Toyokalon fiber.
Toyokalon partnered with Justine Skye to showcase some of the most popular looks of our time. Here Skye sports voluminous curls in a half up, half down ‘do using the Outre X-Pression 4 In 1 Crochet Braid Bohemian Curls in 24”.
In a statement, the company writes, “We chose Justine because she is a fashion and style icon.”
Through the KNOW THE DIFFERENCE campaign, Toyokalon hopes to introduce women to an affordable alternative to braid and crochet hair, which can be used to create natural looking styles. Toyokalon may appear similar to other fibers used in braiding and crochet hair at first glance, but it has its own unique qualities. Toyokalon is soft to the touch and easy to work with, so you can install your protective style with ease.
Not only are products made with Toyokalon perfect for women with sensitive skin and scalps, they come in an array of lengths, colors, and textures.
Justine’s bold, long ponytail is a quick and easy way to upgrade any outfit day or night.
This curly braided style uses Outre XPression Braid Jerry Curls in 24″ and blends perfectly with most tightly coiled natural hair textures.
Products made with Toyokalon are available through all of your favorite brands, including Outre and Sensationnel! Just look for “Made with Toyokalon” written on the package of braid/crochet items at your local beauty supply.
Be sure to follow @Toyokalon to see the hottest looks of the summer, for more hair tips, and a chance to be featured if you’re wearing their hair!
What do you think of the campaign and the shoot featuring Queen Justine?
Right now I am luxuriating in the sun, feeling easy and breezy in separates by Okera Banks:
Fashioned out of stretched jersey, the line comprises halter neck and strapless harem jumpsuit, loose fit cardigans, and fun dresses that are perfect for leisure, travel, and more.
Cut with an off-the-shoulder neckline, the blue and white striped cotton poplin shirt is embroidered at the chest with red “Off” lettering and designed at the back with self-ties.
Balenciaga’s pointed-toe ankle boots are constructed of white grained leather and feature an extreme flat pointed toe and an ice pick heel.
Rihanna is in a league of her own when it comes to fashion. Lately she’s been rockin’ the over-sized look. I can dig it!
You can purchase her shirt here for $665 and her boots here for $1,015.
What do you think? Would you splurge on her ensemble?
Today’s Bombshell is this wondrous soul, Niké Ojeknle from Los Angeles:
She writes, “I’ll be honored to be bombshell of the day.”
“I am a fashion blogger. I find inspiration in art, nature, culture, architecture, people, culture and music and last but not least, fashion. In addition to fashion, I’m also very passionate about homeless youth in my community.”
“For fun, I like to try out a new restaurant every time I can.”
Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 68 clear, unfiltered, headtotoe pictures of 510 different outfits (no collages) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com . Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.
While JHud enlivened the look with diamond Tiffany jewelry and DSquared2 embellished satin pumps, Ms. Dixon opted for gold pumps, a gold cuff, and a single gold earrings.
Her dress hails from the Spring 2017 collection. It features a one-shoulder silhouette, ruffle detailing, draped accents, a front slit, and mini length.
I love this dress and both ladies look Bomb! But if I had to choose, Alesha for the win.
What do you think?
Gucci’s Cruise 2018 show bowed yesterday in Florence. And aside from the oversized Gucci fanny packs and typical logo’d gear, a somewhat astonishing puff sleeved jacket caused a stir because of its similarity to a jacket fashioned by Harlem’s own Dapper Dan in the 80’s.
Haberdasher Dapper Dan was the Rapper’s Delight in the beginning stages of hip-hop. As I wrote in a piece from 2013, “Dapper Dan was a legend in his time, an 80’s era street couturier who spoke to the sartorial tastes of rappers, drug dealers, and athletes who had a distinctive palette for luxury with a dash of cool. Dan was known as the man who could transform a trendy winter jacket into a logo laden piece, emblazoning it with the monograms of Italian and French fashion houses by screen printing their symbols onto leather using a fade resistant ink. “
Because rappers like LL Cool J and Big Daddy Kane couldn’t get Gucci to open their doors to them, they went to Dapper who made look a likes with a Hip Hop Twist. As I wrote in 2013, “Back then, like now, luxury houses didn’t truly acknowledge the hip-hop culture, though rappers and their fans were absolutely smitten with the expensive and aspirational quality of the items. For rappers, it wasn’t about understated chic–they wanted the world to know who they were wearing, and just about how much they spent on it. Dan fulfilled that need for a time–before luxury houses began to, slowly but surely, manufacture items with the logo obsessed in mind.” His specialties were Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Fendi.
Dan was not sanctioned by these houses and came under fire. Fendi, among others, ended up suing Dan for copyright infringement several times, until Dan had to shutter his doors.
In the ultimate plot twist, Gucci has decided to steal something from Dan–the exact silhouette of his fabled puff sleeve jacket, originally equipped with Louis Vuitton fabric.
But while some might cry foul, all seems fair in fashion war. Dan copied luxury logos, and now one of those brands has decided to copy him.
It doesn’t seem fair–French and Italian luxury houses always held the power in this equation. But perhaps because Gucci is obviously using Dapper’s design, they can consider joining in an official partnership where Dan can enjoy some of the fruits of his labor.
What do you think?
*Read my piece on Dapper Dan here.
The latest Blackface drama involves LA-based makeup artist @PaintDatFace, who thought it would be a good idea to share a photo of a white woman he painted to look like a black woman.
After getting dragged on social media, @PaintDatFace deleted the pic of the “transformation,” but said that he “can’t offer an apology for my artwork and for what I find to be beautiful.”
A lot of people found the image offensive while others thought it was artistic.
“Black face has been used to humiliate black people. OUR CULTURE IS NOT A COSTUME,” commented @beautylikebow.
My question is: Aren’t black women good enough to depict themselves?
Black women in general are already underrepresented enough as it is in the fashion industry and mainstream media.
There are so many gorgeous black models who can’t get booked for jobs or have to bring their own makeup to runway shows because of their skin tone – in 2017.
Also, even in the defense of ‘art,’ we are not in a place of racial equality or harmony in our country to erase the racist undertones of blackface. We are still feeling the stings of slavery and prejudice, even today. Some things are still just off limits because they drum up vestiges of a painful past.
So I’m headed to Haiti in a few weeks with designer Azede Jean Pierre and a score of fashionable folks. This trip is meaningful to me because my Dad is Haitian! And while he has made many a trip back (and has even done some relief work), I’ve only been once. I’m excited to learn more about my culture, the country, and ways I can use my platform to raise awareness and support.
As a fashion lover, of course I’ve been thinking about What to Wear for my trip. And while I’m there, I thought it only fitting to wear Haitian designers to show just how talented Haitian designers are! I’ve done a bit of research and uncovered 15 + Bomb Haitian designers you should know.
In no particular order…
1. Azede Jean Pierre
Of course Azede gets first pick since she is organizing this trip! The young prodigy was born in Haiti, then matriculated to SCAD before launching her eponymous line (I always like to say that we were the first to write about her before Elle and Vogue caught wind). Her designs are art filled, expertly draped, and undeniably beautiful. Bombshells like Solange and even First Lady Michelle Obama are fans, and have worn Azede Jean-Pierre to red carpet events and on magazine covers.
Stella Jean is another fabulous Haitian designer who has enjoyed mainstream success. The Haitian-Italian’s designs showcase Afro-Caribbean prints and artscapes with European tailoring. Beyonce and Rihanna’s patronage helped make Stella Jean more of a household name.
Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss uses his creations to spark discussion and comment on civil rights issues of the day. Though he has unveiled many runway shows (he specializes in luxurious, streamlined sportswear for mainly men though he recently delved into womenswear), he is most known for his revolutionary t-shirts like his “They Have Names” tee that enumerated the names of black men unjustly slain by law enforcement, and his “Juneteenth” tee, worn by Usher, to acknowledge the Juneteenth Holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.
I’d rock any of Pyer Moss’s Tees whilst in Haiti! And, if I’m going for an athletic look, any of the below will do:
Charles Dieujuste offers evening gowns that ooze elegance, romance, and simple sophistication. If you have a gala to attend, Dieujuste would be the one to tap.
From Fashion Bomber of the Year to haberdasher? Yes, this all happened on Fashion Bomb Daily. Davidson Petit-Frere appeared on our screens in 2012 as a dapper real estate investor who preferred custom made suits over right off the rack. He clearly had skill (the response to him was overwhelming, so much so that he was crowed Fashion Bomber of the Year). Perhaps fueled by the reception, Frere partnered with Aleks Musika to create Musika Frere, a line of bespoke suits and tuxes. What started off as him suiting himself nicely for work mushroomed into a booming business with suits and blazers worn by Kevin Hart, Diggy Simmons, Mack Wilds, and More.
We like to say we make dreams come true here on FBD (or at least open the door). See more at MusikaFrere.com.
Boston based Claude Michelle specializes in runway ready dresses and bespoke suits. What started off as a bowtie and necktie business has ballooned into Rowing, a collection of both classically elegant and sporty pieces Claude designs with his fraternal twin brother Claudel.
I want that blue and white dress!! Though he’s one of the newer designers on this list, he is certainly one to watch. See more on ClaudesMichelle.com.
Fashion Bomb Daily is a long time fan and supporter of Rue 107 and its designer Marie Jean-Baptiste. The line comprises stretchy, punchy separates with both straight size and plus sized Bombshells in mind.
I’m already a fan, and have worn Rue 107 on many occasions.
I can’t wait to wear them anew! Purchase the above at Rue107.com.
Kareen Singh designs custom skirts from her hometown of Montréal, under the name K. Singh Creations. The Haitian-Trinidadian-Canadian Bombshell can fashion fringed, chained, and embellished jupes sur mesure.
Fashion Designer and Blogger Paola Marthe aka @FindingPaola has created a line of boldly printed head wraps called Famn Djanm (Strong Woman in Haitian Creole). On Instagram, she wrote, “Fanm Djanm (@fanmdjanm) is not just a lifestyle brand. It’s an ongoing project celebrating strength, beauty, vulnerability, softness, growth, and sisterhood.”
Junes Yves’s cartoon like designs of pop figures are the perfect fit for the young, bold, and fashion forward. Cadet creates bright, unexpected separates, tees, and tanks for both men and women.
The cool pieces are both cute and affordable. Purchase at JunesYves.com and follow on Instagram @JunesYves.
Levenity is a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear sportswear brand from Dallas, Texas. Pieces in their latest collection include color block jackets, dresses, and crop top embellished with grommets and mesh.
I absolutely love the brand’s sporty sensibility. Purchase at LeVenity.com.
Me Jeanne Couture has everything from evening gowns and pageant gowns to sumptuous prom and wedding dresses, made to order. The bedazzling details are impeccable.
South Floridian Resort Wear is Laura LaFrance’s specialty. Short skirts, crop tops, and skinny pants are all perfectly pegged for luxurious relaxation in a sunny locale.
Look saucy at the beach or pool this summer with a scintillating Swimsuit from G Saints. I’m a fan of their fringed bikini, but they have loads of styles for various body types.
The list of haberdashers continues to grow! Guys, you won’t have a shortage of well tailored suits if you consult this list!
Enter Ron N Ron, a dynamic design house whose clothing has been worn by Jay Z, Jamie Foxx, Hill Harper and Courtney Vance.
They’re by appointment only! See more here and on Instagram @RonandRon.
That does it!
This is by no means a comprehensive list. If you know of any other Haitian designers we may have missed, please leave a comment and we’ll continue to update this post.
Until then, what do you think?
*Levenity Image C/O Brent Baxter Photography.
